A - There are three methods by which you may request a panel of arbitrators:

Mail a Form R-43 (Request for Arbitration Panel) to FMCS, Office of Arbitration Services, 2100 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20427, together with your check or credit card information. The cost is $50.00.

Fax the R-43 Form to (202) 606-3749. You use any of the following credit cards: MasterCard, VISA, American Express, or Discover. TO AVOID DUPLICATE CREDIT CARD CHARGES, DO NOT MAIL AND FAX YOUR REQUEST.

Go to Requesting an Arbitration Panel; “On-line Form Submission” to request a panel electronically. Panel requests may be sent via e-mail only for $30.00.There is a $50 charge for all panels requiring handling by mail. You may use a credit card or an electronic check by providing specific banking information.

Q - Is there a charge for FMCS services?

A -Thefee is $50 for each panel of arbitrators provided if the request is handled by FMCS staff. Requests submitted through the agency website are $30 provided each panel is emailed to the parties..

The fee for supplying arbitrator biographies is $25, plus 25 cents per page. The fee for making a direct appointment, if a specific arbitrator is requested by both parties, is $20.

Q - From where will the arbitrators for a panel be selected?

A - FMCS has three location designations from which parties may select arbitrators:

Metropolitan (within 125-mile radius of the site of the dispute);

Sub-Regional; or

Regional.

*Note:Nationwide panels must be processed by FMCS staff.

For more specific information on Sub-Regional and Regional selections, see State Coding for Arbitrator Selections. If there are not 15 arbitrators in the pool from which to select, the computer will go to the next level to select, e.g., from metropolitan to sub-regional; from sub-regional to regional.When there is no selection area designated on the form, FMCS will conduct a random selection of the number of arbitrators from the REGION in which the site of the dispute is located.

Q - What happens after we receive a panel of arbitrators?

A - Both parties must inform FMCS of their mutual selection or of their preferred choices (“Priority Ranking”) so that we may determine the most acceptable arbitrator. (You must submit your contract language if you use the Priority Ranking method.)We will then appoint the arbitrator and instruct him/her to contact the parties and arrange for a hearing date. (FMCS Rules require that arbitrators contact the parties within 14 days of their appointment to schedule a hearing.) The arbitrator works directly with the parties to schedule a hearing date.FMCS requires the arbitrators to contact FMCS “promptly” when they are contacted directly by the parties to hear a case.

Q - What if I have any questions regarding a case?

A - The Case Administrator who is identified on the panel sent to the parties is the person to contact regarding any questions concerning your arbitration panel.Contact the Supervisor of Arbitration Services or the Director regarding complaints about FMCS services.

Q - What are the requirements for admission to the FMCS Roster of Arbitrators?

A - To be admitted to the Roster, you must be experienced, competent, and acceptable in decision-making roles in the resolution of labor disputes. The Arbitrator Review Board has recommended that applicants have at least seven years of relevant collective bargaining experience. Applicants must submit the Arbitrator’s Personal Data Questionnaire (FMCS Form R-22), five labor arbitration awards, five references, and a comprehensive biographical sketch describing your collective bargaining experience. In lieu of the five awards, qualified applicants could successfully complete the FMCS Labor Arbitrator Training Course, sponsored by the FMCS Institute, within five years immediately preceding the date of application, and submit two arbitration awards as described above. This 40-hour course is geared toward labor management practitioners with substantial experience in industrial, labor and employment relations who wish to become labor arbitrators. Prior to taking the course, applicants should have some idea of how they will acquire the two awards required to be on the FMCS Roster.

Q - May the parties jointly request FMCS to appoint an arbitrator without receiving a panel?

A - Yes, this is called a direct appointment. FMCS will make a direct appointment only upon a joint request. The charge for this service is $20.

Q - What responsibilities do arbitrators have once selected from an FMCS panel?

A - FMCS rules require an arbitrator to contact the parties within 14 days of the appointment to schedule a hearing. Arbitrator decisions are to be made no later than 60 days from the date of the closing of the record, as determined by the arbitrator, unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties or specified by the collective bargaining agreement or law. Also, arbitrators must notify the parties of any delay in rendering the decision and request an extension.

Q - Why should the parties notify FMCS of an appointment of an arbitrator if the agency issued the panel?

A - The parties should notify FMCS of an arbitrator appointment so that the agency can intervene on the party’s behalf should there be delays by the arbitrator in scheduling or rendering a decision or allegations of violations of FMCS Arbitration Policies and Procedures and The Code of Professional Responsibility for Arbitrators of Labor-Management Disputes. FMCS has no authority to get involved in “private” arbitration matters, even if the arbitrator serves on the FMCS Roster.

Q - Can parties withhold payment to an arbitrator if a decision is appealed?

A - FMCS does not support parties withholding payments to arbitrators if the case is appealed. If the collective bargaining agreement stipulates, “loser pays all” FMCS’ position is that it is the responsibility of both parties to ensure that the arbitrator is paid once the decision is rendered.

Q - What can the parties do if an arbitrator has an overdue award?

A -FMCS strongly encourages the parties to inform FMCS of arbitrators who have not delivered an award within the timeframe outlined in the collective bargaining agreement. The agency will not disclose to the arbitrator which party lodged the complaint. In cases where FMCS confirms that an arbitrator has two overdue awards, the arbitrator’s name will be not available for selection by the parties until the awards have been rendered.If the arbitrator has one overdue award that involves a discharge, his/her name is not circulated until the award has been rendered.